Author: Emma Husher
Series: A Betty's Pledge
Number in Series: 1
Format: ARC PDF (Netgalley)
Release Date: April 24, 2014
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance
Buy here:
Synopsis from Goodreads
There is an exclusive
group known as the Grants who only allow the most seductive women into
their circle, and Madeline “Mady” Chase would give anything to get in.
After years of mundane, disappointing sex, Mady is ready for more. Much
more. Too many men out there favor the trashy crap that often parades
around the local bars and college hangouts. To Mady, it seems like
they’d rather drool over a girl with a fifty thousand dollar plastic
surgery bill and clothes that would better fit a five-year-old than find
some substance and passion in a woman. She wants more than stale,
bland, fake sex, and the Grants could be just what she needs.
Isaac
Wilson has been dissatisfied more times than he can count in the past
two years. Being one of the Grants definitely has its privileges, but
now he finds himself wanting more. Usually, it just meant another long
month of disenchantment on his part when the Grants realized their new
batch of women were no good. Each year, the program found several
candidates that fit their needs, but as was often the case, they lacked
that certain spark Isaac was looking for. To him, it didn't matter.
Either way, he’d have a lot of fun wading through the rejects.
*********************************************
Interview
OBVB: Welcome to Offbeat Vagabond, Emma! To
start things off, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
EH: Sure. I'm a hopeless romantic, private
sexual deviant, and suffer from insomnia which helps me delve in the
fantasies of the first two. It's a perfect environment for a romance
writer, really.
OBVB: What first attracted you to the
Romance genre? What first inspired you to write?
EH: I'm a huge reader
and romance is one of my favorite genres. I write a bit of everything
but the vast array of emotions that come with love are so diverse.
Playing with human emotions, delving into what drives us, keeps me
intrigued.
OBVB: Are there any books that have
influenced you?
EH: I can't think of one in particular. The genre as a
whole inspires me.
OBVB: Who would you say is your favorite
author(s) and why?
EH: I love many authors but I'd have to say that JR
Ward and Christine Feehan are some of the authors that first pulled
me in with their tales.
OBVB: What is the most challenging thing you
face when writing a new story?
EH: The ending!!! My mind usually concocts
several possible endings and it's a fight with the characters to see
which one wins. In the end I let the characters take me where they
want to go.
OBVB: A Betty's Pledge is your newest book,
correct? Can you tell the book will be about?
EH: The book is volume one
in a series that follows one woman's hunt to find pleasure. She
enters an exclusive club that offers every woman's desire. But
there's a secret the members are keeping hidden from their Betties.
OBVB: Were there any characters more
difficult to write than others?
EH: Some characters truly grossed me out.
Some bad guys are really fun to write. Some become a challenge.
OBVB: I really like the concept of your
book. Where did the idea come from?
EH: Honestly, the concept came to me
while I was lying in bed. It'd been a long night and insomnia was
winning the fight for sleep. Sometimes when that happens my mind will
come up with plot lines. This story was a late night concoction that
wouldn't be quiet.
OBVB: If your story were to be made into a
movie/tv show, who can you see as your characters and why?
EH: I honestly
have never thought about this, believe it or not. I'm interested to
see what others come up with. My best friend is always really good
about coming up with casts for her favorite books. Me, I make the
characters in my mind. Maybe someday I'll come up with someone to
play Mady.
OBVB: If you can write any book outside of
the Romance genre, what would it be and why?
EH: I've always loved dark
fantasy novels. I may or may not have something in the works ;)
OBVB: When you are not writing, what do you
do in your free time?
EH: I'm reading!!! I'm a huge reader.
OBVB: Is there anything you must have or do
when you start writing?
EH: I cold beer or a glass of red wine. Depends
on what scene I'm writing. Lol!
OBVB: Is there any advice you could give to
new authors?
EH: Have as many prereaders as you can find! And if you have
a diverse pool that will offer different opinions and insights while
be constructive and courteous is a win! Authors actually make great
prereaders.
OBVB: Last but not least, are there any
other projects you are working on?
EH: I have a short story series called
From Infatuation to Obsession: And All The Phases In Between. Book
one is available now. I'm working on edits for book two and three.
Also the second volume to A Betty's Pledge.
OBVB: Thank you so much for visiting Offbeat
Vagabond, Emma. Hope to have you here again.
*********************************************
A Betty's Pledge is a new book from author Emma Husher and a different experience for me. I really like the idea that Husher has come up with for this book. Women called Betties are inducted into a program to explore their sexuality with other privileged people. Our main character Madeline (or Mady) isn't so privileged, so she has been sponsored. She will now be living amongst the rich exploring things she could only dream of.
I did like Mady, to an extent. She is a mix of shy and sexy vixen which I liked. It have her a bit of mystery. But when it came to her being in the house, I found her a bit confusing at times. One of the men that run the program, called Grants, has taken a strong liking to Mady. There is an instant connection to them when introductions are made. Mady wants to know if there is more to the program than just sex given there are actual couples. But she bounces back between wanting love or just sex. She is constantly fighting it and it drove me mad because she knew what she wanted. She had a choice between two suitors and her debating drove me nuts. One of the men gave her the creeps and made her feel uncomfortable. I don't know what it was, but she just wouldn't go with the obvious choice. All because you are in a sex charged mansion doesn't mean you have to sleep with whoever. If someone is making you feel uneasy, run because there is probably a reason for it.
I also liked Isaac, but I wanted to slap sense into him too. He was a lot like Mady. They both have two sides. One side, he is confidant and cocky. The other, he is a romantic who wants more than sex with the LA plastics. But again, he fought it so much as well. Both of them have a hard believing in love where they are, but they are surrounded by people who have met in the program and are still together. The whole point of them being here is to explore and they have the opportunity to explore each other and they don't take advantage of it quick enough. Mady explores a bit of something she has been curious about with her mentor, Diane (loved her). But that was really it. Diane was a favorite. There seems to be a little trouble in her paradise though. I hope we get more on that. But back to what I was saying, Mady does her exploring. But near the end, Isaac is caught doing something and her reaction was crazy for me. You know who you want, you know where to find him, go and get him. They try not to let emotions into it and that in turn makes things worse for them both. It just drove me crazy at times.
Then there is the ending. When I got to it, I started screaming at my ereader begging for another chapter or two. It is not that it is a cliffhanger, but more that it just stops. The book doesn't have as much confrontation as I would have thought. All the issues that arise are just the characters trying to figure themselves out. But there are definitely some set ups here that I know we will see more of in the next book. There are characters that have trouble written all over them and I wish we got to see more of that here, but I know we will the next time around.
Overall, this was a good read. I just wanted a little more. More push-and-pull, more tension. We are really just learning about the world itself and it seems the characters are learning more about themselves and that is the point. I got sucked into this world quite quickly. I love how this book may seem sexual in nature, I like that it wasn't uncomfortable like it was some sort of brothel. You are eased into it and not freaked out. Well, by certain characters you may be. Take that Brad character for instance. I know hate is a strong word which is why I am saying I hate him. Mady described him perfectly in this book as calling him a wannabe white rapper from the 90s. I laughed so hard at that. Not to mention, the way he speaks about women in general will gross you out. There could be a chance at redemption, but I don't know. But I can't wait to see more. There are plenty of characters to follow and they all have some growing to do. I am pretty excited about volume 2. Husher has breathed a new life into the erotic world and I want to see where she will take it. Recommended if you are looking for something different and to get your blood boiling a bit.
Rating:
*This book belongs to the following challenges*
The Book Vixen's 2014 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
The Book Vixen's 2014 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
*********************************************
About Emma Husher
Emma Husher is a storyteller
with a mind occupied by romantic fantasies, comedy, and steamy nights
between the sheets. She spends her extra time putting pen to paper,
creating characters and storylines that leave her readers begging for
more. Her works delve into her world of late nights, hot bods, and
erotic dreams.
Emma lives on the West Coast where she enjoys sunsets, walks on the beach, and writing in the warm sun.
Connect with Emma Husher here:
*********************************************
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
| 
